Meet Joe Darling
“It’s a really satisfying job – you’re in the lab every day, making real products from start to finish.”
Job Title: Production Chemist
Company: Endeavour Speciality Chemicals
Degree:
BSc Biological Chemistry, Aston University
MSc Chemistry, Nottingham Trent University
Discovering a Love for Science
Joe Darling didn’t grow up with a clear career goal in mind. It wasn’t until secondary school that science really clicked.
“I only really got into science in Year 9,” Joe explains. His school offered the chance to take an early GCSE, and students could choose between astronomy or human health and physiology. Joe had his heart set on astronomy, driven by a love of sci-fi – but ended up placed on the biology course instead.
“I actually really enjoyed it,” he says. “That’s what got me interested in biology first, and then chemistry later on.”
At A-level, Joe studied biology, chemistry and maths. Although biology was his favourite at the time, chemistry would soon take the lead.
University: From Biology to Chemistry
Joe went on to study Biological Chemistry at Aston University, a course based within the chemistry department but with biology modules mixed in.
“By the time I finished, I’d actually done more chemistry than biology,” he explains. “And I started to prefer the chemistry side of it.”
He also found that biology became increasingly complex at university level, particularly without a strong, continuous focus on it. Chemistry, on the other hand, felt more intuitive, especially the practical side.
To deepen his skills, Joe completed an MSc in Chemistry at Nottingham Trent University, further strengthening his lab experience and confidence.
Finding the Flavour Industry
Joe’s route into the flavour industry wasn’t planned – it was all about timing and interest.
“I always preferred organic chemistry modules and being in the lab,” he says. “I wasn’t specifically looking for a job in flavours, just something hands-on where I’d be making chemicals.”
When a Production Chemist role at Endeavour Speciality Chemicals came up, it caught his attention.
“It sounded interesting, and it came up at exactly the right time. It was honestly just chance.”
That chance led Joe into the world of aroma chemicals and he’s been there ever since.
What Does a Production Chemist Do?
Joe spends almost all of his time in the lab. His role focuses on manufacturing the chemicals that Endeavour sells to the flavour industry.
“We’re pretty much 100% lab-based,” he explains. “We manufacture the products from start to finish.”
That means carrying out chemical reactions, monitoring them as they progress, and then completing washing, purification and finishing stages. Joe works on a 5 to 20-litre scale, larger than university experiments but still hands-on and practical.
“It’s very similar to what I did at uni, just scaled up slightly. You’re still doing the reactions yourself.”
Endeavour’s R&D team develops and trials new reactions on a smaller scale. If successful, Joe and his colleagues adapt and scale them up for production.
A Typical Week in the Lab
While no two weeks are exactly the same, there is a general rhythm to the work.
At the start of each week, the team plans which processes they’ll be working on. Joe usually runs four to five processes at once, often juggling longer reactions alongside smaller tasks.
Mondays are typically spent setting reactions up.
Mid-week focuses on washing and intermediate stages.
By the end of the week, products are purified, sampled and sent for quality control.
“Hopefully everything passes QC and then it’s done.”
Variety in Every Process
Although there’s a general pattern, no two products behave exactly the same.
“We work with liquids most of the time,” Joe explains, “but sometimes it’s liquids with gases, or solids.”
Some products require distillation, others filtration and some follow completely different reaction pathways. This variation keeps the role interesting and technically challenging.
“There’s always something new to work on, even after years in the role, you’re still learning.”
Working Behind the Scenes
Joe has little direct contact with customers – something he sees as a positive.
“We’re just in the lab most of the time. We don’t really speak to people outside the company,” he says. “Which suits me, to be honest.”
His role is firmly behind the scenes, supporting the wider flavour industry through manufacturing expertise.
What Does Endeavour Make?
Endeavour Speciality Chemicals manufactures high-impact aroma chemicals for the flavour industry.
“The lab I’m in makes all the sulphur chemicals,” Joe says – compounds often used at very low levels but with a powerful sensory impact.
While most production focuses on aroma chemicals, the R&D department also works on non-aroma projects.
What Joe Enjoys Most
One of the biggest positives of Joe’s job is variety.
“We make a large number of different products, so you don’t really get bored.”
Even after five years in the role, there are still processes he hasn’t run before.
“There’s always something new to get to grips with,” he says. “That keeps it interesting.”
Career Progression & Opportunities
Joe started as a Production Chemist, with Senior Production Chemist as the next step – a role involving greater responsibility, mentoring and independent working.
Beyond that, there are opportunities to move into:
- Purchasing
- R&D
- Supervisory or management roles
“There’s flexibility,” Joe explains. “People do move around if the right opportunity comes up.”
Developing Skills on the Job
Joe feels his chemistry skills have developed significantly since starting at Endeavour – particularly his confidence.
“At university, I was more nervous in the lab. This is day in, day out, so you naturally get more confident.”
He’s also built strong practical expertise in distillation techniques and gas chromatography, areas he had limited exposure to at university.
“You learn a lot just by doing it all the time.”
Advice for Getting into the Flavour Industry
Joe’s advice is clear and practical:
“A chemistry degree is really useful, especially for this kind of role. All the lab-based experience I got at uni helped.”
He also recommends gaining industry experience wherever possible.
“A placement would definitely help, if you can get one.”
Final Thoughts
Joe’s journey shows that you don’t need a fixed plan to build a successful career in flavours. Curiosity, strong lab skills and a willingness to follow what you enjoy can open unexpected doors.
For anyone who loves hands-on chemistry and problem-solving, production chemistry offers a vital and often unseen route into the flavour industry.